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Is is now Alex Smith’s time. He’s had over a year to sit back and watch and has mainly been an observer for the installation of Jimmy Raye’s offense. It’s the same thing that happened with Shaun Hill last year. He had time to digest the offense before he was inserted for J.T. O’Sullivan and Hill then performed well. I remember Jeff Ulbrich telling me a team gets such a boost from an effective quarterback. The defense plays better, the line blocks better, the running backs run better. That was certainly true of the offensive line. They provided Smith with time even tough they lost right tackle Tony Pashos for the second half with a shoulder injury. Now can Smith maintain his play? That will be the question. Smith was 15 of 22 for 206 yards

Alex Smith just spoke on KNBR and he said he’s miles ahead of where he was two years ago. “The mental progression I’ve made is pretty big I think,” Smith said. He also said that he’s not forcing thing but instead just taking what the defenses gives him. Houston elected to cover Vernon Davis with linebacker over the middle and Smith recognized and threw touchdowns.

“He creates so many matchup problems,” Smith said. “He gets on the defense so quick.”

On taking the job from his friend, Shaun Hill, Smith said, “I don’t think the first half was his fault at all. It’s about executing as an offense.”

Interesting that Josh Morgan didn’t play much in the first half, but he did good job in the second half, while Isaac Bruce only got two catches. The 49ers might want to consider starting Morgan and Crabtree and allowing Bruce come in as the third receiver.

By the way, I was completely wrong about Crabtree. I didn’t think he would be able to do much, but wow, the guy can play. Hopefully, the rest of the receivers will learn with the way he comes back for the ball with those venus trap hands. He also looked good running his routes. He did catch four of his five passes outside the numbers. When he learns the timing and more of the receiving game, he’ll starting running more combo routes inside the numbers.